NSA Security Clearance Process

As we’ve mentioned in other articles, the US government’s security clearance process is not centralized and varies somewhat between federal agencies. In addition to security clearances processed by the Department of Defense (DOD), other federal agencies have their own procedures and personnel for federal employees and government contractors (eg DOS, DHS, DOI, NGA, DOE, NRO). Process your security clearance decisions. , CIA, etc.). The National Security Agency (NSA) is an agency that has its own security clearance process. This article addresses security clearances and the security clearance process at the NSA for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

At NSA, you’ll find a meaningful career, a culture that values ​​diversity of skills, ideas and people, and benefits that are tailored to your specific life and career goals.

The agency collects, processes, and disseminates intelligence information from foreign electronic signals for national foreign intelligence and counterintelligence purposes and in support of military operations.

The NSA employs all kinds of professionals, including tech experts, mathematicians, engineers, linguists, and police and military personnel.

No matter the area of ​​expertise, the primary commitment is the defense of national security. By the end of this article, you will fully understand what the NSA recruitment process is.

NSA employee indicted for mishandling top secret information.

A National Security Agency employee was arrested Thursday morning and charged with sending classified national security information to someone who was not authorized to receive it, the Justice Department said.

Mark Robert Inkinholz, a 60-year-old resident of Maryland, worked in a division of the NSA that dealt with private industry and had a top secret clearance that gave him access to classified information. He could gain access to sensitive data — or “national defense information” (NDI), as the DoJ refers to it — that could be used to harm the U.S. or, if mishandled, unaccountable. The domestic adversary can be helped.

Unkenholz is being charged with 13 counts of knowingly transferring NDI and 13 counts of knowingly retaining NDI. According to the indictment, Unkenholz knowingly transferred classified NDI from his unauthorized personal email account to two other unauthorized email accounts belonging to the same individual between February 14, 2018 and June 1, 2020.

The recipient had a Top Secret clearance from April 2016 to June 2019, but did not have a classified information clearance after starting a new job at an undisclosed company in July 2019.

The indictment also describes how Unkenholz knowingly maintained the secret NDI in his personal email address and failed to forward it to the intended U.S. authorities.

Unkenholz faces a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison for each count of knowingly transferring and knowingly retaining NDI. The categories of classified information, from highest to lowest level of threat to national security, are: Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (may cause ‘exceptionally serious harm’), Secret (‘serious ‘may cause harm’), and confidential ( ‘may cause harm’), according to the indictment.

Clearance process at NSA

The security clearance process at NSA is somewhat similar to that of DOD employees, but there are some differences. NSA follows intelligence agency policies regarding security clearances and access to SCI. These policies are referenced in the Intelligence Community Policy Guidance (ICPG). The following are general steps in the security clearance review process for NSA clearance holders or applicants when they encounter security clearance issues.

To apply for an open position, you need to visit the official website of NSA, select a career and complete the required application. If you are unsure about your career choice, use the job exploration tool on the NSA website to find out how your qualifications can best be applied.

During the application process, you may also be asked to upload digital copies of important identification documents, such as your driver’s license, military ID, or academic transcripts.

It is also important that you submit proof of citizenship with your application. To work for America’s most far-reaching intelligence organization, you must either be born in the United States or become a naturalized citizen.

This information can be obtained from your birth certificate or valid passport. Make sure you meet the minimum age requirement for your chosen field.

If you are interested in joining NSA’s High School Work Study Program, you are free to apply as young as 16. Most other positions require you to be at least 18 years old.

Those who wish to become an NSA Police Officer or Security Specialist must be 21 years of age or older. You must do all this before the NSA recruitment timeline ends.

Step 1: Letter of cancellation/denial

When a federal, military or contractor employee has a security clearance or SCI access issue with NSA, they receive a revocation or denial letter from NSA, listing the background and security concerns at issue. Is. Specific security concerns will be listed in the background. The individual will then generally be given 45 days in which to request a review of the security concerns and to respond to the security concerns. The investigative file, on which the denial is based, will usually be attached as well to facilitate the individual’s response The investigation file, on which the denial is based, will usually be included with the revocation letter to facilitate a full response from the individual. As with other intelligence agencies, an individual must first request this file. An investigation file will typically include documents, reports and/or other items related to the security concerns at issue. Step 2: Responding to the cancellation/rejection letter

At this stage, the individual responds to the cancellation or denial letter from the NSA. The response should address security concerns at issues, such as Guideline E, personal conduct, or other issues and focus on potential mitigation of security concerns. Documents must be provided, such as declarations, affidavits, and other documents related to the security concerns at issue.

If the individual chooses to appeal NSA’s initial decision, during the first step of the clearance appeal process at NSA, the individual will respond to NSA’s revocation or denial letter. A complete answer should be prepared. The response should address security concerns at issue, such as Guideline B, Foreign Influence, Guideline B, Personal Conduct, Guideline J, Criminal Conduct or other issues and focus on potential mitigation of security concerns. It is important to provide documents, such as declarations, character letters, declarations, affidavits, and other documents related to security concerns or the individual’s character. This first step in the appeals process is critical.

Step 3: Office of Personnel Security’s decision on first appeal review

After receiving an appeal from the individual, the NSA Office of Security will issue a decision on whether the security concerns have been excluded or mitigated. If so, then the matter will be settled. If not, the individual will be given a decision, usually a page or two long, which will discuss the reasons for the rejection of the first appeal and the right to a final appeal. A first appeal may indicate that some items have been abated, but that others have not. A first appeal may indicate that some items have been abated, but that others have not. There is then a very short time frame in which to request a meeting with the NSA Access Appeals Panel or otherwise submit a written appeal, which is usually 15 calendar days from receipt of the initial decision.

Step 4: Review by the NSA Access Appeals Panel.

The next step in the NSA security clearance process is for an employee to meet with the NSA Access Appeals Panel or alternatively submit a written appeal. We recommend that individuals provide additional documentation where possible and choose to appeal in person before the NSA Access Appeals Panel. This is an in-person appeal where the individual can be represented by counsel and present evidence and arguments as to why the security clearance or SCI access decision should be revoked. During this personal appearance before the Access Appeal Panel, The individual may submit documents in support of holding his security clearance before the panel. The panel is fully staffed, usually 6-7 people are present. The panel may ask questions or sit patiently and listen to arguments. In most cases, I’ve found that the panel asks a fair number of questions about the security concerns at issue.

Step 5: NSA Access Appeals Panel Decision

After the personal appearance, the NSA Appeals Panel issues a decision, either a clearance or a denial of access at issue. After a denial there is also a process of reapplying for clearance after a waiting period.

The NSA is one of the more efficient federal agencies in closing the security clearance process so decisions are issued, usually within 2-3 weeks if not sooner. If a denial is issued, the individual may reapply for clearance or access after one year. The expedited clearance review process at NSA differs from other intelligence community appeals processes that can take longer.

Security screening

If you have applied for a position designated as a “confidential position” (vertrouwensfunctie), or if you hold a position that has recently been designated, you must undergo a security screening. Will be.

What is security screening?

The AIVD conducts security screening of candidates who have applied for privacy-related positions. Screening is regulated by law in the Security Screening Act (Wvo, Wet veiligheidsonderzoeken).

The purpose of our screening is to determine whether you may be at risk of bribery or blackmail if you work in a position that involves confidentiality, for example.

So AIVD screening extends to your private life as well. Screening is done at Level A (the most thorough screening) or at a less extensive Level B or Level C.

The more sensitive the position, the broader the screening. When our screening does not provide good reason for not determining you, we will issue a ‘Certificate of No Objection’.

In most cases, security screening is done in connection with the job application. It may also be that your current job has been designated a confidential position since your appointment. If so, you can only keep your job if a ‘no objection statement’ is issued.

HR Pre-Screen Interview (approximately 1-5 weeks)

The NSA hiring timeline has provisions for an HR pre-screen interview. After a thorough review period, candidates will be contacted by a Human Resources representative to discuss the application in more detail.

They will go over the agency’s exact eligibility criteria with you and notify you of any issues with the content you provide.

After that, you will be told what steps you should take next. It may take up to 2 months to hear back about your application.

Screening content

Indications

Our security screening focuses on the question of whether national security would be at risk if you were employed in a position related to privacy. So it is important that you are honest, independent, loyal, security conscious and a person of integrity.

Various factors can indicate a security risk. During screening, the following aspects are therefore emphasized:

• criminal record;
• subversive and anti-democratic activities;
• addiction
• financial weakness;
• Unwanted influence;
• Fraudulent or underhanded behavior;
• Impairment of integrity;
• Irresponsible and dangerous behavior.

Administrative investigations

AIVD security screening begins with an administrative investigation. We investigate our own records and those of the local authority, the police and the Ministry of Justice.

Your financial situation may also be investigated. If you live outside the Netherlands, we may inquire about our partner service in the country or in the countries in question.

Personal interview

In some cases – depending on the nature of the position involved in confidentiality – an additional field investigation is required. A field investigation includes, among other things, interviews with you and your partner – if you have one – and sometimes with people close to you.

You should therefore ensure that you are available for an interview with the field investigator within weeks of submitting the form. Interviews are confidential.

An investigator will telephone you and arrange to visit you at home and conduct a personal interview. He shall verify his identity as an employee of AIVD.

During the interview, the investigator will ask personal questions about your background, your partner, and your family and friends. This information will provide a picture of potential threats to national security.

The interview usually takes a morning or afternoon, but please do not take longer.

We do not use special intelligence methods (eg tapping communications devices) to conduct security screening; This is prohibited by law.

Criteria

All privacy positions are different. Therefore, each screening is ‘customised’. The AIVD assesses the security risks that are relevant to your current/future employment and your personal vulnerabilities. Assessment criteria are set out in the Personal Conduct and Conditions Guide.

Issuing or refusing to issue a ‘statement of no objection’ does not say anything about your suitability for the position in question. In our security screening, we only assess whether any of the above indicators may pose a threat to national security. We base our reviews on observable and fact-based behavior.

Procedures

If you are applying for a classified position and the selection process has been completed, your employer, or future employer, will apply to the AIVD for security screening. You don’t have to start it yourself. Further procedure is as follows:

1. Your employer, or future employer, informs you about the security screening and how to complete the application form.
2. You can download the correct application form from this website. In some cases it is also possible to use EOPG (Electronic Application Form). The form will ask you to provide personal information about yourself and your close friends and family. It is important that you answer all questions completely. If you do not fill the form correctly and answer all the questions, you will not be able to print it. If you don’t have internet access, you can use a paper version of the form – your employer or future employer will provide it.
3. You should put the completed form and enclosures (such as a copy of your source of identification and a passport photo) in a sealed envelope and hand it to your employer or future employer. This way the employer cannot access your form.
4. AIVD conducts security screening.
5. The AIVD will notify you of the outcome in writing eight weeks after receiving your form. If it is not possible to complete the screening within this period, you will be notified accordingly.
6. If the screening does not provide a good reason not to employ you, we will issue a ‘no objection’ statement to both you and your employer.
7. AIVD may reject or withdraw the ‘No Objection Certificate’. In such cases, it will usually send a notification that it intends to refuse or withdraw the VGB. You are allowed to respond to this notice or intent. We may revise our decision and eventually issue a ‘no objection’ statement. If you receive an outright denial or withdrawal, you can file an appeal against the decision with the Appeals Committee. If you disagree with the committee’s decision, you can appeal to the courts or the Council of State.

5 Tips to Get Hired by NSA

The process of joining the US National Security Agency (NSA) is long and difficult. After applying, the recruitment process consists of the following steps:

NSA Exams:

After applying, candidates are invited to take an online test. NSA exams come in a variety of formats – multiple choice, true/false, and fill-in-the-blank.

The types of tests applicants face vary depending on the positions they are applying for. Some tests include number series, metrics, and English proficiency.

The test can take up to 90 minutes to complete, although it can be completed in less time. The test results are valid for six months from the date of completion of the test, and candidates cannot retake the test during those six months.

Candidates applying to one of the STEM fields—science, technology, engineering, and math—will also face job-specific knowledge tests. This is an important step in the NSA recruitment timeline.

Operational Interviews and Testing:

Candidates are introduced to supervisors in their areas of expertise who assess their qualifications in detail. Candidates may also be asked to take a test.

After the core set of tests is over, hiring directors will begin narrowing down their list of potential candidates. During this NSA recruitment timeline, interviews at this stage will become significantly more difficult.

There’s no way to know the exact number of interviews an applicant will need to pass—in many cases, it may just depend on the position.

The NSA website states that it can take 7-12 weeks to move from one stage of testing to the next.

At the end of each cycle, you will be contacted about whether you have successfully progressed to the next round of interviews.

If everything goes well, a conditional offer is made. However, this is not a guarantee that you will be hired as you will have to pass other tests. Practice will help you overcome this NSA hiring timeline.

Psychological interview

A very important category in the NSA recruitment timeline is the psychological interview. The NSA conducts extensive psychological testing to screen potential employees whose psychological profile may make them unsuitable for work affecting national security.

The NSA recommends that job candidates be as open and honest as they can be during the process because a lack of openness can slow down the process.

Applicants should expect to take a written psychological test followed by an in-person interview with an NSA psychologist.

Polygraph test

Applicants for the NSA ballot must also pass a polygraph or “lie detector” test and an interview.

The polygraph interview is designed to catch someone trying to infiltrate the NSA for the purpose of spying for the US government, and withholding any information that would prevent them from obtaining a security clearance.

Again, NSA advises anyone appearing for this interview to answer all questions openly and completely.

If you pass the polygraph interview, the NSA will conduct several interviews with people who know you, work with you, or live near you. To get hired, it is important that you perform well in this NSA recruitment timeline.

Security testing

Finally, you must pass an additional security clearance interview before being hired as an intelligence analyst for the NSA.

Candidates are asked to complete a questionnaire and meet with a background investigator. The investigator will work for several weeks to verify the details provided in the questionnaire.

The level of clearance you receive will be based on the responsibilities of your position. Technicians and public affairs officers may be issued standard badges, while elite cryptanalysts and counter-terrorism experts will be given secret clearances due to the highly sensitive nature of their work.

Common grounds for denial of clearance include questionable foreign allegiances, drug abuse, debt, and emotional or psychological problems.

NSA job offer

After the candidates successfully pass the security process, the hiring authority approves the candidature. The most qualified applicants are offered a job to begin a career with the NSA. The timeline for the NSA recruitment process here usually ranges from a few weeks to a few months.

NSA’s Hiring Process: Conclusion

The National Security Agency (NSA) hiring timeline is long enough to address both job suitability and security credibility issues.

The hiring process includes, but is not limited to, a psychological screening, polygraph interview, and extensive background investigation.

Additionally, all applicants and employees are subject to random drug testing under Executive Order 12564.

We strongly recommend that your answers to questions from National Security Agency representatives be complete, clear, and truthful at any time during the employment process.

Only US citizens are eligible for NSA employment. To obtain a security clearance for NSA employment, applicants must meet the criteria found in Executive Order 12968 and Intelligence Community Directive (ICD) No. 704.

NSA Hiring Tips

• Use discretion.
• Get a college degree.
• Get a security clearance.
• Consider an internship.
• Attend an NSA hiring event.

If you want a rewarding, challenging career in the government sector, getting a job at the National Security Agency, or NSA, may be the answer. It is estimated that the agency currently employs 30,000 to 40,000 people, and the positions cover many areas of expertise. Get tips for getting a job with the NSA to increase your chances of success.

1.      Use discretion.

Assuming you get to the point where you have to go through security and background checks, you don’t want to worry about things you might have posted on the internet and social media. So, lock down your public profiles, and be extremely careful about how you conduct yourself online and in general. It is better to avoid questionable activities there than to explain them during the security check process.

2.      Get a college degree.

It is practically impossible to get hired by NSA without a degree. Of course, no degree will do. It needs to be in an area that is relevant to the agency’s work. As an intelligence organization, the NSA hires people with many backgrounds and credentials. However, the agency hires a lot of mathematicians. In fact, it has confirmed that it is the largest employer of mathematicians in the United States, so getting a math degree is a good option. Degrees in foreign languages ​​and computer science are also valuable for anyone seeking employment through this organization.

3.      Get a security clearance.

If you have a way to get a security clearance before applying to the NSA, do it. However, keep in mind that security clearance can only be obtained by existing and prospective employers. In other words, private individuals cannot apply for them themselves. The security clearance process is very complicated, expensive and time consuming. This can take up to two years depending on the level of clearance required. The NSA requires a top-secret security clearance, so you can expect the process to take up to two years.

The security clearance appeal process at NSA is similar to that for DOD employees, but there are some notable differences. NSA follows Intelligence Community (IC) policies regarding security clearance and processing of SCI access. These policies are referenced in the Intelligence Community Policy Guidance (ICPG). The following are routine steps in the security clearance review process for NSA clearance holders or applicants when they encounter security clearance issues.

4.      Consider an internship.

Competition for jobs with the NSA is fierce. Increase your odds of landing a job down the road by completing an internship with an agency. NSA offers a competitive three-year program for those interested in pursuing a lifelong career with the organization. These programs train professionals at all levels of expertise and experience, so they are a far cry from private corporations and similar internships. Assuming you’re capable of supporting yourself, completing an internship with the NSA is a great way to get your foot in the door.

5.      Attend an NSA hiring event.

Although the NSA has no problem finding suitable candidates, the agency still conducts regular hiring events across the country. The NSA strives to hire the brightest and best, and these events give them an opportunity to tap into new talent pools. Be on the lookout for hiring events in your area. If one hangs out, be sure to attend. Update your resume in advance, and print a new cover letter and be ready to go. At the very least, you’ll be able to learn about job opportunities with the agency in your area.

Getting hired by NSA is not easy. Some of the country’s most talented people vie for jobs at the agency. With the right degree and other credentials, however, your chances of getting hired will be better than most.

Pursuant to Executive Order 12968, the President of the United States delegates the determination of security clearance to each individual federal agency. Consequently, each federal agency’s security clearance process is unique but they share some similarities. These various federal agencies must follow the same executive order and the Security Executive Agent Directive (SEAD) 4.

These federal agency processes are not centralized and vary somewhat. Some federal agencies focus more on foreign influence (CIA) and others focus more on drug use (FBI). In addition to security clearances processed by the Department of Defense (DOD), Other federal agencies have their own procedures and personnel that process their security clearance decisions for federal employees and government contractors (such as DOS, DHS, DOI, NGA, DOE, NRO, CIA, etc.). The National Security Agency (NSA) is an agency with its own unique security clearance process. This article addresses security clearances and the security clearance process at the NSA for access to Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).

Where did we get your personal data?

This information is provided by a staff member of the EDPS to the NSAs of the Member States concerned.

HR.DS.3 acts as the EC Security Clearance Team Coordination Point, or by their immediate family.

Members, while filling the form.

Why do we process your personal data and under what legal basis?

We process your personal data for security reasons and to access European

Union classification information you must submit in the initial screening process.

Your Member State’s NSA. Security authorization changes from EDPS.

A National Personal Security Clearance (PSC) issued by your Member States’ NSA, confirming

You are a trustworthy and reliable person. Normally a security clearance is issued to the staff.

which may be brought in to handle confidential UE/ EU confidential information

level and up.

The primary responsibility for data processing lies within the EDPS HRBA unit. Especially,

The LSO is authorized to supervise the security clearance procedure through the assistance of the EC.

Security Clearance Sector of the Directorate of Security and Security of the Europeans in DGHR

The Commission which liaises with the NSAs of the Member States.

The EC Security Clearance Office collects and maintains personal information about staff members.

A specific security clearance form issued by the national security of the staff member’s home country.

Power. Staff members fill the relevant forms, which are subsequently sent to

National Security Authority competent by the EC. There are results of the testing procedure.

HR DS is notified directly by Member States NSAs.

In case of positive feedback from concerned NSA, Supervisor or Director, upon receipt

Information from the clearance sector may allow security. security

Authorizations are signed by a supervisor or delegated by a director.

In the event of adverse feedback being issued, the person concerned may be heard by and through the supervisor.

Clearance Sector If the Supervisor deems it necessary, he may ask the authorized NSA for more.

Clarifications However, if the adverse opinion is confirmed, the supervisor may not grant permission

Permission

All the above mentioned documents are kept in one file (hard copies) but also in EC electronic

Data base

Each national security questionnaire is different and depends on national security laws and regulations.

Member State in question.

The European Commission only checks whether the information provided is complete, before

Transferring it to NSAs responsible for carrying out security investigations.

Access to basic information, such as name, surname, date of birth and others, is available only to them.

Member of Security Clearance Team at LSO and European Commission and

Officials of NSAs in various Member States.

Further personal data is only accessed by the relevant NSA.

The legality is based on Article 5.1.(a) of Regulation (EU) 2018/1725 (“Processing is necessary

(…) in the legitimate exercise of official authority vested in an institution or body of the Union”) and

Article 5.1.(b) of the same regulation (“Processing is necessary to comply with the law

liability to which the controller is subject”).

The legal grounds are as follows:

15-19 of the EDPS Decision of 09.03.2020 of Finland amending its rules on security to protect EUCI;

Service Level Agreement between DGHR and Security and EDPS, signed on 21.12.2017.

How long will we keep your personal data?

Copies of the results of the evaluation procedure are sent to the EDPS and stored by the LSO.

No copies of the completed forms/security questionnaires are retained by the EDPS LSO nor the EC.

Clearance Sector

Basic personal data (result of screening procedures, and data held in security

authorization) will be held by the EDPS as long as the staff member has a valid security cover.

Permission

Physical records of EDPS authorization are destroyed six months after the security date.

Clearance is no longer considered necessary six months after the date of validation expires

As indicated by the NSA, or six months after the staff member leaves the institution, as applicable.

The electronic file has been blocked (actually deactivated) by the EC Security Clearance Team so that the LSO no

now have access to that file) when HR.DS has been notified that the person is no longer needed.

security clearance.

The EDPS LSO will only maintain the issued clearance list and security originals.

Permission in its records: The storage period is the same as mentioned above.

What rights do you have regarding your personal data?

You have the right to access your personal data and related information about how we

use it. You have the right to correct your personal data. Under certain conditions, you have this right.

To ask that we delete or restrict the use of your personal data. You have the right to object to what we say.

Processing of your personal data, at any time, on the basis of your specific situation. We

will consider your request, make a decision and inform you. Under certain conditions,

You have the right to ask that we delete or restrict the use of your personal data.